‘The Help’ Crosses $100 Million Mark

11:54 AM PDT 8/31/2011 by Pamela McClintock Hollywood Reporter Tate Taylor’s The Help has crossed the $100 million mark in box office grosses in less than three weeks in release in a notable victory for DreamWorks and Participant Media. Based on Kathryn Stockett’s novel about Southern white women and their black maids, The Help has stayed at No. 1 the past two weekends; the film opened Aug. 10. “We never imagined this film, which began its journey inspired by the enthusiasm of a small group of Mississippi friends, would ever even get made. Now to have it seen and embraced by so many people is just beyond our wildest dreams,” Taylor said in a statement. The film — which is drawing early awards attention for its performances — stars Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney and Sissy Spacek. Ahna O’Reilly, Cicely Tyson, Aunjanue Ellis and Mary Steenburgen also star. The Help was produced by Brunson Green, Chris Columbus and Michael Barnathan.